[Music Recommendation: "Dream Aria" by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: This chapter is written in Hora's POV - that Friday night they flew on Verrill's private jet towards her home country, Pearl of the Orient]

The view of the night sky and the twinkling lights of the cities below had always been a sight to behold for me. And now, sitting beside the window in a private jet flying so high up in the sky, it was even more fascinating—magical even. With Verrill sitting beside me, one could mistake it as romantic as well.

But… my heart and mind was far off from romance at that moment. I'm worried… very much worried to the point that I couldn't say it, even to Sena, my dearest bestfriend and a sister of my soul.

Yes. That's right… even to Sena. Because this was something normal people shouldn't be concerning themselves about. And I'm not allowed to tell her. Verrill accidentally finding out about this was already dangerous in itself. Plus, I'm still new to all of these. I'm usually a jolly and bubbly person if I do say so myself, but times like these always creeped me out.

"Hora, dinner's here," Verrill called me, distracting me from my thoughts.

I looked back at him and immediately responded with a smile on my face, "Ah, yes. Thank you."

The stewardess prepared the meal in front of us, and poured water and juice to our glasses. Then, went back to the sides, awaiting any command from us. The dinner served was luxurious as always, these rich people just never knew how to be thrifty. Oh well, at least it's always appetizing… except for now since I didn't have much appetite all thanks to worrying too much. And I wouldn't stop worrying until I get to the bottom of this which sucks. Waaaaaaa… I just need answers to my questions and hopefully, they're all good answers.

Verrill helped me cut my steak before giving the plate to me. He probably noticed my mind was elsewhere since I unconsciously kept on missing the spot I'm supposed to cut. Sometimes, my knife would cut on the plate instead of the food itself.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized as soon as I realized it.

'Ughhhh. Hora, stop this! You're only making it worse! And making Verrill more worried about you than he should be.'

"It's alright. But please, eat properly," he replied in a smile… a worried kind of smile.

"Yes!" I tried to be jolly again and nodded my head enthusiastically. Then, I tried to eat in the same manner. Good thing the food was really delicious. It at least helped lighten up my mood a bit. Thank you, chef, whoever you were.

Once done eating, I slouched on the seat and leaned my head on Verrill's shoulder. I thought that maybe, I should try to get some sleep instead of worrying myself to death. Verrill probably understood my intentions because he patted my head afterwards and caressed my cheeks until I fell asleep.

A couple of hours passed until we reached the airport and landed. After that was a few hours on the road in a car that Verrill also prepared, much to my surprise. I always wondered how he, Kaiden, and even Callan, could easily arrange things like these as if they're adults—investigating families, preparing a private jet and car, and all that grown-up stuff. Amazing. The only bad thing was how traffic it was on one of the roads we had to take on our way to Aunt Vora's house. Other than that, it was a pretty chill ride and I got to doze off a bit, too.

Finally, after the long wait, we arrived at Aunt Vora's residence filled with flowers and cherry blossom trees. Just entering through their main gate would make you think you're entering a fantasy world.

"It's really so enchanting no matter how many times I come here," I murmured to myself as I stared into the beautiful trees with their leaves slowly falling off everytime the wind blew.

"It is. Maybe I should make a garden at home filled with cherry blossoms as well. Then, put a library in the midst of it and a piano so we can hang out there from time to time."

"A-Ack! T-that's too much! You don't need to do that."

My face flushed. Seriously, this guy. Tsk. Tsk. I just said that the place was enchanting and he's thinking of making a copy of it! I appreciate the gesture but it's too grand. I swear if I ever saw him do it for real, I'm gonna scold him for wasting money.

"But… it's so beautiful," Verrill pouted, looking like a cute puppy.

"D-Don't use that face on me."

Then, he began sulking.

'Uuuggghh… Waaah! I can't take it! My heart!'

"Fine. Do what you want," I gave in.

Verrill smirked as soon as he heard that. This side of him was both irritating and cute.

Screech!

The car stopped at the front door of Aunt Vora's house. Their front door looked like an ancient one, complete with a door knocker made of gold and designed like a flower. We got out of the car and I knocked on the door four times, in a pattern—one knock, two consecutive in a half beat, and one last knock—all with even intervals in each set of knocks. I wasn't so sure why but we've been doing that since we were children. My mom taught me about it saying it was somehow a secret code to know if a family member was visiting or not. Now that I'm older, I'm just used to it.

After that, was the sound of gears moving, and the door opening by itself. Aunt Vora's house was really amazing in so many ways. I should ask her how all these mechanisms worked. Well, after I'm done with my initial business with her.

Once the door was opened, Verrill and I proceeded inside. The inside of their house had an antique motif, though still filled with flowers in almost every corner. It was still pleasing to the eyes nonetheless.

"Is it okay for us to just come in?" Verrill asked as we walked around the long hallway. "It's a big house and I just thought… there's no servants?"

Right. He's used to having butlers and lots of servants that welcomed visitors to their home—even giving tours and all that fancy stuff. Just like how we were served when Sena and I first went to the Ma Residence.

"Oh, they do have them," I replied. "But not like those butlers and maids back in the Ma Residence or at your home. There's minimal helpers here, mainly the cook and the cleaners. Other than that, Aunt Vora does everything. And yes, it's okay to just come in. Family and their friends are always welcome."

"…I see," Verrill acknowledged, not sounding so happy.

'Of course, I said "friends" that's why. But that's because I'm not ready to have a boyfriend yet and still preparing myself. T-That kiss before, and the other kisses, too… ahm, well… I do like him but it's just… I think it's better if he gets to know me more first. Especially with my family background.'

Right. Aside from Silky's situation, there was another thing that worried me since last weekend that Verrill accidentally saw "that". Once he learns the whole truth about our family, would he still… like me? Or would his feelings change?

Sting…

'Ugh. I'm scared. This is another reason I can't tell it to Sena. What if she freaks out once she finds out about it? I can't lose her. She's my best friend and the sister I didn't have. She's really important to me. Just like Verrill. After all these and Verrill still accepts me, maybe then, I'll tell Sena. But right now, I still can't.'

Few minutes passed as we walked around the house and at last, we reached Aunt Vora's library. We passed by the living room, bedrooms, dining area, and other places but she wasn't there. If that's the case, then only the library was the most reasonable place for her to be in. As we walked, we noticed no sign of Silky's twin, if ever there really was.

Honestly, I didn't doubt the report of Kaiden's people. It's a perfect report actually. That was… if we're only judging by normal human standards.

Problem was… our family… was never a normal human family.

That's right. Me, my family, and everyone from the generations before, even my cousins, we all belonged to a deep rooted ancestry known to all of our kind in the Pearl of the Orient. If I were to compare it to those vampire stories, then we would be considered pure bloods.

That's right. We were pure bloods. But not vampires…

We were a family of pure blooded witches.